“May I help you, sir?”
Jonathan’s brow had risen a fraction at her comment.“You can help me in many ways,” he said seductively.“However, I came to give you a present.”
Elizabeth rose from her dressing table.“A present?I thought maybe you had come to kiss me.”
“Well, now that you’ve made the suggestion,” he said, pulling her into his arms.
Their hot, passionate kiss made her warm all over, a small promise of things to come.When she parted her lips, she heard him moan with pleasure.She slid her arms up his chest and pressed her body into his.
After a few moments, Jonathan pulled back and looked at her.“It won’t be long before we’re crawling into that bed if you keep kissing me like that.”
Elizabeth laughed and stepped back.“How is this?Is it a safe distance?”
“The only safe distance would be at another plantation,” he admitted with a grin.
“You said something about a present.”
He slipped his hand under his jacket and pulled out a long box.“Indeed I did.”
Elizabeth wasted little time opening the box.There before her was a necklace of blazing red rubies and diamonds.“It’s beautiful!”
“Just like the lady who will wear it,” he said, and pulled the necklace out of the box.“May I?”
Elizabeth smiled and turned so he could fasten the precious stones around her neck.He lifted his left arm to her neck so he could fasten the clasp.At least his fingers were working even if his arm was still sluggish.Then he turned her back toward him.“The rubies remind me of your temper—”
“I’m not so sure that’s a compliment.”Elizabeth pouted.
“If you’ll let me finish.The diamonds remind me of your beauty.The rubies remind me of your fire.”
Elizabeth leaned up and kissed him on the lips.“That’s better.”
“Good.”Jonathan traced the stones of the necklace along her neck.“I’m so glad you will soon be mine.If any other man ever touched you, I don’t know what I would do.I can’t bear to think of you with any man but me,” he added in a whisper.
“Have no fear, I don’t want anyone but you.”
TheWindjammerfloated peacefullyat anchor, softly nudging against the dock as the deckhands pushed loads of supplies up the gangplank, stocking the ship for the return trip to England.
Adam and Jonathan were at the New Orleans dock, trying to help out where they could.
“When do you set sail?”Jonathan asked Derek, who was repairing some riggings.
“The day after your wedding,” Derek replied with a smile.“Are you ready for the big day, son?”
“Is anyone ever prepared?”Jonathan laughed.
Adam walked up.“I most certainly wasn’t.”
“And he isn’t joking,” Derek quickly added.“Almost had to hit the boy over the head to make him realize he was in love with Jewel.”
“I remember,” Jonathan admitted.“He was pretty stubborn about the situation in England, also.”
“Let’s not talk about past history,” Adam said to put a stop to the teasing.“You look natural onboard my ship.Now that you’re going to be family, maybe you would like to be part of my shipping business.”
“You know I’ve always been a land lover.”Jonathan leaned back against the mast.“Perhaps I’ll buy a small plantation and raise cotton.Of course, I will have to return home and check on my holdings.I just didn’t want to return so soon after the war.You can just imagine if someone had recognized me during the battle.The thought of my neck being stretched isn’t very appealing.”
“I know.I have the same problem,” Adam admitted.“But with Derek and Annie returning and a good solicitor looking after my property, I believe I’ll remain here for a while.”
“I haven’t heard from my father in some time,” Jonathan said.“But he’s getting on in years and will need some help in the future, I know.”
